Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs) and WBC champion Deontay Wilder had been in serious negotiations for a late-fall bout. Unfortunately, the two sides were unable to come to an agreement after going back-and-forth for a number of months. In the midst of negotiations, the WBA ordered Joshua to face Povetkin or be stripped of his belt. Talks with Wilder came to an end and a Povetkin bout materialized shortly thereafter.

The Povetkin fight will be the second time Joshua's competed in 2018. He gained the WBO title in a unanimous decision victory over Joseph Parker in April. The fight marked the first time in Joshua's professional career that he went the distance.

Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) won the WBA title from Cedric Boswell in Dec. 2011. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist went on to make four title defenses before losing to Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision in Oct. 2013.

Things haven't gone smoothly for Povetkin to get to this point. He failed two drug tests in 2016 and 2017, which took him out of scheduled title fights against Deontay Wilder and Bermane Stiverne, respectively. Since then, he has gotten his career back on track and won four consecutive bouts.

Do people want to see Joshua vs. Wilder? Absolutely. But a showdown between Joshua and Povetkin is the next best thing. You have two of the best heavyweights in the world — who happen to both be Olympic gold medalists — battling for the heavyweight championship of the world. It doesn't get any better than that.

(All times Eastern.)

Joshua vs. Povetkin fight date, location

Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin will meet on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Wembley Stadium in London.

How to watch Joshua vs. Povetkin live

The Joshua vs. Povetkin fight will be live-streamed exclusively on DAZN in the U.S. starting at 1 p.m. Joshua and Povetkin will be making their respective walks to the ring at 4:50 p.m.